As an high level administrative professional to a C-Level executive, you are privy to confidential information. Therefore, you will have several individuals that will approach you asking for details that are confidential. Some feel this is hard to handle as you want to be friends with those individuals as well you want to be helpful.
You have to remember you are now in a position where confidentiality is of the utmost importance. You are in your position as you are trusted not to share any confidential details no matter what.
Not everyone is privy to the same information as you are not even other C-Level assistants. Breaking company confidentiality even if you think it is small puts the company at risk. Your job is to not only protect the person you are supporting but also the company.
You always need to be professional in your response to them as they are your colleagues. You just politely let them know that you are not at liberty to discuss or that you do not have access to those particular details.
You want to be a go-to person, but not for confidential information. If you make sure that you approach this in a positive manner and professional you will not turn your colleagues off; they will respect your comments and move on. If you are rude, aggressive or negative, you will then establish a reputation for yourself that you do not want.
Remember what confidential information means:
The term "Confidential Information" means all business or technical information of Disclosure, whether it is received, accessed or viewed by Recipient in writing, visually, electronically or orally. Confidential Information shall include, without limitation, technical information, marketing and business plans, databases, specifications, formulations, tooling, prototypes, sketches, models, drawings, specifications, procurement requirements, engineering information, samples, computer software (source and object codes), forecasts, identity of or details about actual or potential customers or projects, techniques, inventions, discoveries, know-how and trade secrets. “Confidential Information" also includes all such business or technical information of any third party that is in possession of Disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any information disclosed by the Parties will be considered Confidential Information of Disclosure, only if such information (a) is conspicuously designated as "Confidential" or "Proprietary" or would reasonably be regarded as being of a confidential nature, or (b) if provided orally or visually, is identified as confidential at the time of disclosure, or would reasonably be regarded as being of a confidential nature.
You can handle confidential information as well as your colleagues and maintain the trust with your executive and the respect of your colleagues as long as you stay positive, non-aggressive and professional in your responses to them.
You were put in the position supporting a C-Level for a reason, and you have worked hard to get there so don’t let anything like breaking confidentiality ruin that for you.
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